Pressure-sensitive copying paper containing lactone compounds of pyridine-carboxylic acid

ABSTRACT

A pressure-sensitive copying paper comprising an adsorbent solid acid and a microencapsulated color former capable of forming a distinct color when reacted with the adsorbent acid coated on the same or a different surface of a support or supports, the microencapsulated color former being at least one lactone compound of a pyridine-carboxylic acid represented by the formula ##SPC1## 
     Or a mixture thereof, wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4  and A are as defined hereinafter, is disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a pressure-sensitive copying paper using as a color former a pyridine-carboxylic acid lactone represented by the formula ##SPC2##

Or a mixture thereof, wherein R₁ and R₂ each represents a hydrogen atom, an acyl group, a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom, a cyano, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylamino, acetyl or phenoxy group, or a benzyl or phenyl group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, a lower alkoxy, nitro, amino or lower alkylamino group, or R₁ and R₂ may, when taken with a nitrogen atom to which R₁ and R₂ are attached, form a part of a saturated hydrocarbon chain of a heterocylic ring; R₃ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, a nitro, amino, lower alkylamino group or a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkoxy group which may be substituted with a halogen atom, or a benzyl, benzyloxy or phenoxy group which may be substituted with a halogen atom, a lower alkyl, alkoxy or lower alkylamino group; R₄ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a phenyl group; and A represents a carbazolyl, acridinyl, phenothiazinyl, thienyl, thianaphthenyl, morpholinophenyl, julolidinyl or tetrahydroquinolyl group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl, lower alkylamino, acyl or nitro group; the alkyl moiety in said lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or lower alkylamino group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In general, pressure-sensitive copying paper comprises the combination of an upper sheet paper (or transfer sheet) having coated on the back surface thereof minute microcapsules containing dissolved therein an electron donative substantially colorless organic compound capable of undergoing color reaction, i.e., color former, and a lower sheet paper (or receiving sheet) having coated on the surface thereof a color developer. When these two coated surfaces are brought into contact with each other and a localized pressure is applied to the assembly by handwriting or typewriting, microcapsules located at the pressure-applied area rupture and the organic color former contained in the organic solvent comes into contact with the color developer to form color.

Color developers which can be used in this invention include active clay substances such as acid clay, attapulgite, zeolite, bentonite; solid organic acids such as succinic acid, tannic acid, benzoic acid; and acidic polymers such as phenolformalin polymers, phenol-acetylene polymers, styrene-maleic anhydride polymers containing residual acid groups, salicylic acid-formalin polymers and the like.

As the organic solvent for dissolving the color former, there are ethylene glycol, chlorobenzenes, diethyl phthalate, trioctyl phosphate, dibenzyl benzene, dibenzyl toluene, alkylnaphthalenes and naphthylalkyl alcohols and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As a result of detailed investigations on the color former for pressure-sensitive copying papers, the present inventors have discovered that there can be obtained a pressure-sensitive copying paper capable of forming a wide variety of colors such as a red, reddish purple, purple, purplish blue, blue, greenish blue, bluish green, green or a like color by using as a color former a novel pyridine-carboxylic acid lactone represented by the above formula (I), and that there can be obtained a pressure-sensitive copying paper capable of forming optional desired color by using the novel color former in combination with a known color former or formers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Pressure-sensitive copying papers using the novel pyridine-carboxylic acid lactone represented by the formula (I) is colorless or slightly colored before color reaction, but, when in contact with the color developer, it immediately forms a red, reddish purple, purple, purplish blue, blue, greenish blue, bluish green, green or a like color with high color density. The thus formed color is excellent in light resistance.

Further, pressure-sensitive copying papers using the novel color former in combination with a known color former or formers immediately form an optional color when brought into contact with the color developer. The thus formed color undergoes little change in hue with the lapse of time after color formation. The lactone color formers of pyridine-carboxylic acid used for pressure-sensitive copying papers of the present invention and the starting material, pyridine-carboxylic acids can be prepared as follows.

1. Preparation of Pyridine-Carboxylic Acid

About 1 mole of a quinolinic anhydride represented by the formula ##SPC3##

wherein R₄ is as defined in the formula (I) is reacted with about 1 to 2 moles of an aniline represented by the formula ##SPC4##

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are as defined in the formula (I) or a heterocyclic compound represented by the formula

    A-H                                                        (IV)

wherein A is as defined in the formula (I) in a volatile organic inert solvent such as carbon disulfide, tetrachloroethane, a chlorobenzene, a nitrobenzene and the like using about 1 to 3 moles of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst such as zinc chloride, phosphorus chloride, aluminum chloride and the like at a temperature of from about 10° to 110°C for a period of about 1 to 9 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and the inert organic solvent is removed by decantation. The resulting reaction product is poured into ice-water or cold dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid to hydrolyze the catalyst. The precipitated solid is filtered, washed successively with water and benzene and dried. Alternatively, after cooling the reaction mixture as above, the reaction mixture is poured into about 2 to 6 l of ice-water to hydrolyze the catalyst. The same inert organic solvent as used above is then added to the resulting aqueous solution to transfer the reaction product to the solvent layer. The solvent layer is recovered by separation and the solvent is distilled off. There is obtained a mixture of isomers of a benzoyl-pyridine-carboxylic acid each represented by the formulae ##SPC5##

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are as defined in the formula (I), respectively, or a mixture of isomers of a (heterocyclic-carbonyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid each represented by the formulae ##SPC6##

wherein A and R₄ are as defined in the formula (I), respectively, as crystals. If necessary, the above obtained isomer mixture can be separated into each isomer in high purity, by 1) dissolving the isomer mixture as above obtained in dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide, carefully adding dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid to the resulting solution in small portions and then recovering each of solids which precipitates due to the difference in pH of the solution or 2) repeatedly recrystallizing the reaction product using a mixture of a less polar solvent such as benzene, toluene and the like and a polar solvent such as methanol, butanol and the like, or a combination of (1) and (2) above. Further, pyridine-carboxylic acid in which two isomers are present in various proportions can also be obtained.

2. Preparation of Lactone Color Former of Pyridine-Carboxylic Acid Represented by the Formula (I)

About 1 mole of the above obtained 3-benzoyl-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2), 2-benzoyl-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) or a mixture thereof is reacted with about 0.9 to 1.5 moles of a heterocyclic compound represented by the formula (IV), or about 1 mole of the above obtained 3-(heterocyclic-carbonyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2), 2-(heterocyclic-carbonyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) or a mixture thereof is reacted with about 0.9 to 1.5 moles of an aniline compound represented by the formula (III), in concentrated sulfuric acid, acetic anhydride or polyphosphoric acid at a temperature of from about 30 to 130°C for about 2 to 10 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and the reaction product is poured into ice-water. The resulting solution is then made weakly acidic or neutral with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide. Benzene or toluene is added to the solution followed by stirring to transfer any unreacted heterocyclic compound or aniline compound to the benzene or toluene layer which is then removed by separation. The residual aqueous layer is adjusted to a pH of 11 to 12 with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide. The precipitated solid is collected by filtration, washed successively with water and a small amount of ethanol and dried to give a substantially colorless or slightly colored lactone color former of pyridine-carboxylic acid represented by the formula (I) in high yield. Alternatively, to the above residual aqueous layer adjusted to a pH of 11 to 12, benzene or toluene is added followed by stirring to transfer a lactone color former of pyridine-carboxylic acid to the benzene or toluene layer, which is then recovered by separation. Benzene or toluene is then distilled off from the benzene or toluene layer. The residue is washed successively with water and a small amount of ethanol, benzene, petroleum ether or ligroin and dried to give a substantially colorless or slightly colored lactone color former of pyridine-carboxylic acid represented by the formula (I) in high yield. Or else, the reaction product obtained in the above reaction is poured into ice-water, and the resulting aqueous solution is adjusted to a pH of 11 to 12 with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide. Benzene or toluene is added thereto followed by stirring to transfer the lactone color former of pyridine-carboxylic acid to the benzene or toluene layer. The benzene or toluene layer is recovered by separation and then worked up in the same manner as described above to give a substantially colorless or slightly colored lactone color former of pyridine-carboxylic acid represented by the formula (I) in high yield. If necessary, the resulting lactone color former of pyridine-carboxylic acid may be recrystallized.

Now, the process for preparing the color former of the present invention, i.e., lactone color formers of pyridine-carboxylic acid will be illustrated by the following Preparation Examples.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1 (Color Former Nos. 1 to 3)

10 g of quinolinic anhydride and 26 g of N,N-diethyl-m-phenetidine were added to 100 m of benzene, and 27 g of anhydrous aluminum chloride was added to the mixture in small portions over about 20 minutes while stirring and maintaining the temperature at 30° to 35°C. Upon completion of the addition, the mixture was allowed to react for 4 hours at a temperature in the range of from 35° to 38°C and thereafter was cooled to room temperature. The benzene was removed by decantation, and the resulting reaction product was added to 800 g of ice-water followed by stirring. The precipitated solid was filtered, washed with water and dried to give 15.5 g of an isomer mixture comprising 3-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) and 2-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) as pale brown crystals having a melting point of 245° to 253°C.

15.5 g of the resulting crystals was then dissolved in dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide. Dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid was added to the resulting solution to adjust the pH to 6 and the precipitated solid was filtered (the filtrate was set aside), washed and dried to give 10 g of an isomer mixture comprising predominantly 3-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) and a small amount of 2-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) as pale brown crystals having a melting point of 293° to 297°C. 10 g of the resulting crystals was then repeatedly recrystallized from a mixed solvent of methanol-benzene (1:1 by volume) to give 6.5 g of a highly purified 3-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) as pale yellow crystals having a melting point of 295° to 296°C.

The filtrate having a pH of 6 obtained from the filtration of the above product was then adjusted to a pH of 2 with dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid, and the precipitated solid was filtered, washed with water and dried to give 4 g of an isomer mixture comprising predominantly 2-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) and a small amount of 3-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) as pale brown crystals having a melting point of 176° to 181°C.

4 g of the isomer mixture thus obtained was then repeatedly recrystallized from a mixed solvent of methanol-toluene (1:1 by volume) to give 2.3 g of a highly purified 2-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) as substantially colorless crystals having a melting point of 179 to 180°C.

2.5 g of the above obtained 3-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) and 1.4 g of 1-methyl-2,3,4-trihydroquinoline were added to 15 g of acetic anhydride, and the reaction mixture was allowed to react at a temperature of 80° to 85°C for 3 hours followed by cooling to room temperature. The reaction product was poured into 150 g of ice-water while stirring to hydrolyze the acetic anhydride. After completion of the hydrolysis, benzene was added to the resulting solution. The aqueous solution was then adjusted to a pH of about 6.5 with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide to transfer any unreacted 1-methyl-2,3,4-trihydroquinoline to the benzene layer, which was then removed by separation. The residual aqueous solution was adjusted to a pH of 12 with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide, and the precipitated solid was filtered, washed successively with water and a small amount of ethanol and dried to give 2.3 g of 3-[α-{1'-methyl-2',3' ,4' -trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-60 -{4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxyphenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone (Color Former No. 1) as slightly pale yellow colored crystals having a melting point of 163°C to 165°C.

2.5 g of the above obtained 2-(4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) having a melting point of 179° to 180°C and 1.4 g of 1-methyl-2,3,4-trihydroquinoline were added to 15 g of acetic anhydride. The mixture was allowed to react at a temperature of 85°to 90°C for 5 hours and thereafter cooled to room temperature. The reaction product was poured into 200 g of ice-water while stirring to hydrolyze the acetic anhydride. After the hydrolysis, 50 ml of benzene was added thereto and the resulting aqueous solution was adjusted to a pH of 11 to 12 with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide to transfer a lactone color former of a pyridine-carboxylic acid to the benzene layer. The benzene layer was recovered by separation and benzene was distilled off therefrom. The residue was then washed with a small amount of petroleum ether and dried to give 2.5 g of 2-[α-{1'-methyl-2',3' ,4' -trihydroquinoline-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxyphenyl}-.alpha.-oxy]-methylpyridin-carboxylic acid-(3)lactone (Color Former No. 2) as pale yellow colored crystals having a melting point of 126° to 128°C.

Further, 2.5 g of the above obtained isomer mixture of pyridine-carboxylic acid having a melting point of 245° to 253°C and 1.5 g of 1-methyl-2,3,4-trihydroquinoline were added to 20 g of acetic anhydride, and the mixture was allowed to react at a temperature of 85° to 95°C for 4 hours followed by cooling to room temperature. The reaction product was poured into 200 g of ice-water while stirring to hydrolyze the acetic anhydride. After completion of the hydrolysis, the aqueous solution was adjusted to a pH of 11 to 12 with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide. 50 ml of benzene was added thereto and a lactone color former of a pyridine-carboxylic acid was transferred to the benzene layer, which was then recovered by separation. Benzene was distilled off from the benzene layer, and the residue was washed with a small amount of petroleum ether and dried to give 2.4 g of an isomer mixture comprising 3-[α-{1'-methyl-2',3'3',4'4'-trihydroquinolin -(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxyphenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{1'-methyl-2',3' ,4' -trihydroquinolin -(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxyphenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone as pale brown colored crystals having a melting point of 141° to 147°C.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 2 (Color Former No. 4)

12.0 g of quinolinic anhydride and 24.4 g of julolidine were added to 120 ml of benzene, and 33 g of anhydrous aluminum chloride was added to the resulting mixture in small portions at a temperature of 10° to 20°C for about 30 minutes while stirring. After completion of addition, the mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature. The benzene layer was removed by decantation, and the resulting reaction product was added to 1,200 g of ice-water followed by stirring. The precipitated solid was recovered by filtration, washed with water and dried to obtain 18.0 g of an isomer mixture comprising 3-[julolidine-carbonyl-(6')]-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) and 2-[julolidine-carbonyl-(6')]-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) as pale brown colored crystals having a melting point of 260° to 265°C.

3.0 g of the above obtained isomer mixture of a pyridine-carboxylic acid and 2.5 g of N,N-dimethylaniline were added to 20 g of acetic anhydride, and the resulting mixture was allowed to react at a temperature of 90° to 95°C for 5 hours followed by cooling to room temperature. The reaction product was poured into 200 g of ice-water while stirring to hydrolyze the acetic anhydride. After completion of the hydrolysis, the resulting solution was adjusted to a pH of 11 to 12 with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide. 50 ml of benzene was then added thereto to transfer a lactone color former of a pyridine-carboxylic acid to the benzene layer, which was then recovered by separation. Benzene was distilled off from the benzene layer, and the residue was washed with a small amount of petroleum ether and dried to give 2.5 g of an isomer mixture comprising 3-[α-{julolidin -(6')-yl}-α-{4'-dimethylaminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α -{julolidin -(6')-yl}-α{4'-dimethylaminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone as pale yellow colored crystals having a melting point of 121° to 126°C.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 3 (Color Former Nos. 5 to 45)

Each of the quinolinic anhydrides (II) and each of the anilins (III) or each of the heterocyclic compounds (IV) which correspond to the color formers were reacted and worked up in the same manner as described in Preparation Example 1 to prepare an isomer mixture of benzoyl-pyridine-carboxylic acids (V) or an isomer mixture of (heterocyclic-carbonyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acids (VI), respectively.

Subsequently, an isomer mixture of benzoyl-pyridine-carboxylic acids (V) and the corresponding heterocyclic compound (IV), or an isomer mixture of (heterocyclic-carbonyl)-pyridine-carboxylic acids (VI) and the corresponding aniline compound (III) were reacted and the reaction product was worked up in the same manner as described in Preparation Example 1 to obtain an isomer mixture of pyridine-carboxylic acid lactones (I) (Color Former Nos. 5 - 45) as colorless or slightly colored crystals, respectively.

The melting points and crystal appearance of the thus obtained color formers, and pyridine-carboxylic acids, aniline compounds, or heterocyclic compounds with the amount thereof which were used in this example are shown in Table 1 below.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________                           Aniline Compound Repre-                                                                        Lactone Color Former Repre-              Pyridine-Carboxylic Acid                                                                             sented by the Formula (III)                                                                    sented by the Formula (I)                    Represented by the                                                                               or Heterocyclic Compound Melting                         Color                                                                              Formula (V) or (VI)                                                                              Represented by the Formula                                                                     Yield    Point  Crystal                  Former                                                                             and Amount Used   (IV) and Amount Used                                                                           (g)      (°C)                                                                           Appearance               __________________________________________________________________________     No.1                                                                               3-(4'-Diethylamino-2'-                                                                           1-Methyl-2,3,4-trihydro-                                                                       3-[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',4'-trihy                                           dro-                                         ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-                                                                         quinoline       quinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethy                                           lamino-                                      carboxylic acid-(2)                                                                              1.4 g           2'-ethoxyphenyl}-α-oxy]-methyl                                           pyridine-                                    2.5 g                             carboxylic acid-(2) lactone                                                    2.3      163-165                                                                               pale yellow              No.2                                                                               2-(4'-Diethylamino-2'-                                                                           "               2-[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',4'-trihy                                           dro-                                         ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-                                                                         1.4 g           quinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethy                                           lamino-                                      carboxylic acid-(3)               2'-ethoxyphenyl}-α-oxy]-methyl                                           pyridine-                                    2.5 g                             carboxylic acid-(3) lactone                                                    2.5      126-128                                                                               pale yellow              No.3                                                                               3-(and 2-)(4'-Diethylamino-                                                                      "               3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      2'-ethoxybenzoyl)-pyridine-                                                                      2.2 g           hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-d                                           iethyl-                                      carboxylic acid-(2)[and-          amino-2'-ethoxyphenyl}-α-oxy]-                                           methyl-                                      (3)]                              pyridine-carboxylic                                                            acid-(2)[and-(3)]                            3.0 g                             lactone                                                                        2.4      141-147                                                                               pale yellow              No.4                                                                               3-(and 2-)[Julolidine-                                                                           N,N-Dimethylaniline                                                                            3-(and 2-)[α-{Julolidin-(6')-y                                           l}-α-                                  carbonyl-(6')]-pyridine-                                                                         2.5 g           {4'-dimethylaminophenyl}-α-oxy                                           ]-                                           carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)           3.0 g                             [and-(3)] lactone                                                              2.5      121-126                                                                               pale yellow              No.5                                                                               3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-                                                                   N-Ethyl-N-β-chloroethyl-                                                                  3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      2',3',4'-trihydroquinoline                                                                       aniline 2.5 g   hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(                                           N-β-                                    carbonyl-(6')}]-pyridine-         chloroethyl-N-ethyl)-aminophenyl}-.a                                           lpha.-                                       carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic                                                 acid-                                        3.0 g                             (2)[and-(3)] lactone                                                           2.5      93-98  pale yellow              No.6                                                                               "                 N-Ethyl-N-benzylaniline                                                                        3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri                                       3.0 g             2.7 g           hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(                                           N-                                                                             benzyl-N-methyl)-aminophenyl}-.alpha                                           .-oxy]-                                                                        methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)                                             [and-(3)] lactone                                                               3.1     92-97  pale yellow              No.7                                                                               3-(and 2-)(4'-Dibenzylamino-                                                                     1-Methyl-2,3,4-trihydro-                                                                       3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      benzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic                                                                     quinoline       hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-d                                           ibenzyl-                                     acid-(2)[and-(3)] 2.5 g           aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyri                                           dine-                                        4.0 g                             carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                   lactone                                                                        4.9      129-137                                                                               pale yellow              No.8                                                                               3-(and 2-)(4'-Morpholino-                                                      benzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic                                                   acid-(2)[and-(3)] "               3-(and 2-)[α-{4'-Morpholino-ph                                           enyl}-                                       3.0 g             2.1 g           α-{1'-methyl-2',3',4'-trihydro                                           quinolin-                                                                      (6')-yl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine                                           -                                                                              carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                   lactone                                                                        3.1      89-96  pale yellow              No.9                                                                               3-(and 2-)(4'-Diethylamino-                                                                      "               3-(and 2-)[α-{4'-Diethylamino-                                           2'-                                          2'-methylbenzoyl)-pyridine-                                                                      2.7 g           methylphenyl}-α-{1'-methyl-2',                                           3',4'-                                       carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-ox                                           y]-                                          4.0 g                             methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)                                             [and-(3)] lactone                                                              4.9      132-136                                                                               pale yellow              No.10                                                                              3-(and 2-)[9'-Ethylcarbazol-                                                                     N,N-Dimethylaniline                                                                            3-(and-2)[α-{9'-Ethylcarbazol-                                           (3')-                                        carbonyl-(3')] -pyridine-                                                                        2.1 g           yl}-α-{4'-dimethylaminophenyl}                                           -α-                                    carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic                                                 acid-                                        3.7 g                             (2)[and-(3)] lactone                                                           1.4      186-195                                                                               pale yellow              No.11                                                                              3-(and 2-)[Acridine-                                                                             N-Benzyl-N-methylaniline                                                                       3-(and 2-)[α-{Acridin-(2')-yl}                                           -α-{4'-                                carbonyl-(2')]-pyridine-                                                                         2.3 g           (N-benzyl-N-methyl)-aminophenyl}-.al                                           pha.-                                        carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic                                                 acid-                                        3.3 g                             (2)[and-(3)] lactone                                                           1.5             pale brown               No.12                                                                              3-(and 2-)[Phenothiazine-                                                                        N-Methyl-N-phenylaniline                                                                       3-(and 2-)[α-{Phenothiazin-(3'                                           )-yl}-α-                               carbonyl-(3')]-pyridine-                                                                         1.4 g           {4'-(N-methyl-N-phenyl)-aminophenyl}                                           -                                            carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxyl                                           ic acid-                                     2.6 g                             (2)[and-(3)] lactone                                                           1.3             pale yellow              No.13                                                                              3-(and 2-)[10'-Methyl-                                                                           N,N-Diethyl-3-chloroaniline                                                                    3-(and 2-)[α-{10'-Methylphenot                                           hiazin-                                      phenothiazine-carbonyl-(3')]-                                                                    2.4 g           (3')-yl}-α-{2'-chloro-4'-dieth                                           ylamino-                                     pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)      phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-         [and-(3)]                         carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                   lactone                                      3.7 g                                                                                                            2.1             pale brown               No.14                                                                              3-(and 2-)[Thiophene-                                                                            N-Methyl-N-4" -ethoxyphenyl-                                                                   3-(and 2-)[α-{Thiophen-(2')-yl                                           }-α-                                   carbonyl-(2')]-pyridine-                                                                         aniline         {4'-(N-methyl-N-4"-ethoxyphenyl)-            carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                                     4.1 g           aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyri                                           dine-                                        4.7 g                             carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                   lactone                                                                        3.7             pale yellow              No.15                                                                              3-(and 2-)Thianaphthene-                                                                         N-Acetonylaniline                                                                              3-(and 2-)[α-{Thianaphthen-(2'                                           )-yl}-                                       carbonyl-(2')-pyridine-           α-{4'-acetonylaminophenyl}-.al                                           pha.-oxy]-                                   carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                                     1.6 g           methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)           2.4 g                             [and-(3)] lactone                                                              1.3             pale yellow              No.16                                                                              3-(and 2-)[4'-(N-Benzyl-N-                                                                       7-Dimethylamino-10-methyl-                                                                     3-(and 2-)[α-{4'-(N-Benzyl-N-e                                           thyl)-                                       methyl)-2'-methyl-amino-                                                                         phenothiazine   amino-2'-methylphenyl}-α-{7'-d                                           imethyl-                                     benzoyl]-pyridine-carboxylic                                                                     4.3 g           amino-10'-methylphenothiazin-(3')-yl                                           }-                                           acid-(2)[and-(3)]                 α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxyl                                           ic acid-                                     4.0 g                             (2)[and-(3)] lactone                                                           2.9             pale blue                No.17                                                                              3-(and 2-)(4'-Methylamino-                                                                       3-Nitro-9-ethylcarbazole                                                                       3-(and 2-)[α-{4'-Methylaminoph                                           enyl}-α-                               benzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic                                                                     2.9 g           {6'-nitro-9'-ethylcarbazol-(3')-yl}-                                           α-                                     acid-(2)[and-(3)]                 oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic                                                 acid-(2)                                     2.0 g                             [and-(3)] lactone                                                              1.1             pale brown               No.18                                                                              3-(and 2-)(4'-Acetamido-                                                                         10-Acetylphenothiazine                                                                         3-(and 2-)[α-{4'-Acetamidophen                                           yl}-α-                                 benzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic                                                                     3.8 g           {10'-acetylphenothiazine-(3')-yl}-.a                                           lpha.-                                       acid [and-(3)]                    oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic                                                 acid-                                        2.0 g                             (2)[and-(3)] lactone                                                           0.9             pale yellow              No.19                                                                              Color Former No.19 (0.6g)         3-(and 2-) [α-{4'-Aminophenyl}                                           -α-                                    was hydrolyzed in an              {phenothiazin-(3')-yl}-α-oxy]-                                           methyl-                                      ethanol-hydrochloric acid         pyridine-carboxylic                                                            acid-(2)[and-(3)]                            aqueous solution.                 lactone                                                                        0.2             pale brown               No.20                                                                              3-(and 2-)[4'-(N-4"-                                                                             Julolidine      3-(and 2-)[α-{4'-(N-4"-Methylp                                           henyl-N-                                     Methylphenyl-N-methyl)-                                                                          2.1 g           methyl)-aminophenyl}-α-julolid                                           in-(6')-                                     aminobenzoyl]pyridine-            yl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carb                                           oxylic                                       carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      acid-(2)[and-(3)] lactone                    3.0 g.                                                                                                           3.4             pale yellow              No. 21                                                                             3-(and 2-)[4'-(N-4"-                                                                             N,N-Diethyl-3-chloroaniline                                                                    3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      Methylphenyl-N-methyl)-                                                                          2.6 g           hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(                                           N,N-                                         aminobenzoyl]-pyridine-           diethyl)-amino-2'-chlorophenyl}-.alp                                           ha.-oxy]-                                    carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)           3.0 g                             [and-(3)]lactone                                                               1.4             pale yellow              No.22                                                                              '                 N-ethyl-N-β-ethoxyethyl-                                                                  3-(and 2)-[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      3.0 g             3-methylaniline hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'                                             -(N-ethyl-                                                     2.9 g           N-β-ethoxyethyl)-amino-2-methyl                                           phenyl}-                                                                       α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxyl                                           ic acid-                                                                       (2)[and-(3)]lactone                                                            3.2             pale blue                No.23                                                                              3-(and 2-)-{1'-methyl-2',                                                                        N-β-Diethylaminoethyl-                                                                    3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      3',4'-trihydroquinoline-carbo-                                                                   aniline         hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(                                           N-β-                                    nyl-(6')}-pyridine-carboxylic                                                                    2.5 g           diethylaminoethyl)-aminophenyl}-.alp                                           ha.-oxy]-                                    acid - (2)[and -(3) ]             methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)           3.0 g                             (and-(3)]lactone                                                               2.4             pale yellow              No.24                                                                              3-(and 2-){1'-Methyl-                                                                            N,N-Dimethyl-3-methoxy-                                                                        3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      2',3',4'-trihydroquinoline-                                                                      aniline         hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-d                                           imethyl-                                     carboxyl-(6')}-3-chloro-                                                                         2.3 g           amino-2'-methoxyphenyl}-α-oxy]                                           -methyl-                                     pyridine-carboxylic acid-         4-chloropyridine-carboxylic                                                    acid-(2)                                     (2)[and-(3)]                      [and-(3)]lactone                             3.0 g                                                                                                            3.3             pale blue                No.25                                                                              3-(and 2-){1'-Methyl-                                                                            N,N-Diethyl-3-nitroaniline                                                                     3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      2',3',4'-trihydroquinoline-                                                                      2.6 g           hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-d                                           iethyl-                                      carbonyl-(6')}-3-methyl-          amino-2'-nitrophenyl}-α-oxy]-m                                           ethyl-4-                                     pyridine-carboxylic acid-         methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)           (2)[and-(3)]                      [and-(3)]lactone                         3.0 g                                 0.4             pale yellow              No.26                                                                              3-(and 2-){1'-Methyl-                                                                            N,N-Dimethylaniline                                                                            3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      2',3',4'-trihydroquinoline-                                                                      2.1 g           hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-d                                           imethyl-                                     carbonyl-(6')}-2-phenyl-          aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methyl-6-p                                           henyl-                                       pyridine-carboxylic acid-         pyridine-carboxylic                                                            acid-(2)[and-(3)]                            (2)[and-(3)]                      lactone                                      3.0 g                                                                                                            0.9             pale brown               No.27                                                                              3-(and 2-){1'-Methyl-                                                                            N-Methyl-N-4'-methylphenyl-                                                                    3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      2',3',4'-trihydroquinoline-                                                                      aniline         hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(                                           N-methyl-                                    carbonyl-(6')}-pyridine-                                                                         2.7 g           N-4"-methylphenyl)-aminophenyl}-.alp                                           ha.-                                         carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic                                                 acid-                                        3.0 g                             (2)[and-(3)]lactone                                                            2.1             pale blue                No.28                                                                              "                 N-β-Oxylethyl-N-β-cyano-                           3.0 g             ethylaniline    3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                                        2.6 g           hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(                                           N-β-                                                                      hydroxyethyl-N-β-cyanoethyl)-am                                           ino-                                                                           phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-                                           carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone                                            1.3             pale blue                No.29                                                                              "                 N-Benzoylaniline                                                                               3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      3.0 g             2.4 g           hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-b                                           enzamido-                                                                      phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-                                           N                                                                              carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone                                            O                                                                              0.4             pale brown               No.30                                                                              3-(and-2){Julolidine-                                                                            N-Methyl-N-4'-chlorophenyl-                                                                    3-(and 2-)[α-{Julolidin-(6')-y                                           l{-α-}4'-                              carbonyl-(6') }-pyridine-                                                                        aniline         (N-4"-chlorophenyl-N-methyl)-amino-          carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                                     2.4 g           phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-                                           carboxylic                                   3.0 g                             acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone                                                       1.3             pale yellow              No.31                                                                              "                 4,4'-bis-Dimethylamino-                                                                        3-(and 2-)[α-{Julolidin-(6')-y                                           l}-α-{4'-                              3.0 g             phenylmethane   dimethylamino-2'-(4"-dimethylamino)-                           3.4 g           benzylphenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyr                                           idine-                                                                         carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                   lactone                                                                        1.9             pale green               No.32                                                                              " 3.0 g           N-Ethyl-N-4'-Nitrobenzyl-                                                                      3-(and 2-)[α-{Julolidin-(6')-y                                           l}-α-{4'-                                                aniline         (N-ethyl-N-4"-nitrobenzyl)-aminophen                                           yl}-                                                           3.1 g           α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxyl                                           ic acid-                                                                       (2)[and-(3)]lactone                                                            1.3             pale brown               No.33                                                                              " 3.0 g           N,N-Dimethyl-3-(4'-chloro)-                                                                    3-(and 2-)[α-{Julolidin-(6')-y                                           l}-α-{4'-                                                phenoxyaniline  dimethylamino-2'-(4"-chlorophenoxy)-                           2.5 g           phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-                                           carboxylic                                                                     acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone                                                       2.1             pale green               No.34                                                                              3-(and-2){Julolidine-                                                                            N,N-Dimethyl-3-(4'-methyl)-                                                                    3-(and 2-)[α-{Julolidin-(6')-y                                           l}-α-{4'-                              carbonyl-(6')}-pyridine-                                                                         benzyloxyaniline                                                                               dimethylamino-3'-(4"-methyl)-benzylo                                           xy-                                          carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                                     2.9 g           phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-                                           carboxylic                                   3.0 g                             acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone                                                       2.3             pale green               No.35                                                                              3-(and 2-){4'-(Pyrrolidin-                                                                       Thionaphtene    3-(and 2-)[α-{4'-(Pyrrolidin-(                                           1")-yl)                                      (1")-yl)-benzoyl}-pyridine-                                                                      1.7 g           phenyl}-α-{thionaphten-(2')-yl                                           }-α-                                   carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      oxyl]-methylpyridine-carboxylic                                                acid-                                        2.5 g                             (2)[ and-(3)]lactone                                                           2.5             pale yellow              No.36                                                                              3-(and 2-){4'-Piperazin-(1")-                                                                    1-Methyl-2,3,4-trihydro-                                                                       3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      yl}-benzoyl]-pyridine-                                                                           quinoline       hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(                                           piperizin-                                   carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]                                                                     1.7 g           (1")-yl)-phenyl}-α-oxy]-methyl                                           pyridine-                                    2.5 g                             carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone                                            O                                                                              2.8             pale yellow              No.37                                                                              3-(and 2-)(4'-Piperidino-                                                                        Julolidine      3-(and 2-)[α-{Julolidin-(6')-y                                           l{-α-{4'-                              benzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic                                                                     1.9             piperidinophenyl}-α-oxy]-methy                                           lpyridine-                                   acid-(2)[and-(3)]                 carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone          2.5 g                                                                                                            3.1             pale yellow              No.38                                                                              3-(and 2-)(4'-Diethylamino-                                                                      Thionaphthene   3-(and 2-)[α-{4'-Diethylamino-                                           2'-methyl-                                   2'-methylaminobenzoyl)-                                                                          0.8 g           aminophenyl}-α-{thionaphthen-2                                           '-yl}-α-oxy-                           pyridine-carboxylic acid-         methylpyridine-carboxylic                                                      acid-(2)[and-                                (2)[and-(3)]                      (3)]lactone                                  2.0 g                                                                                                            1.9             pale brown               No.39                                                                              3-(and 2-){4'-(N-Phenoxy-                                                                        Thiophene       3-(and 2-)[α-{4'-(N-Phenoxyeth                                           yl-N-ethyl)-                                 ethyl-N-ethyl)-amino-2'-                                                                         0.9 g           amino-2'-methylphenyl}-α-{thio                                           phen-(2')-                                   methylbenzoyl}-pyridine-          yl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carb                                           oxylic acid-                                 carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      (2)[and-(3)]lactone                          3.0 g                                                                                                            2.7             pale yellow              No.40                                                                              3-(and 2-){4'-Dimethylamino-                                                                     Julolidine      3-(and 2-)[α-{Julolidin-(6')-y                                           l{-α-{4'-                              2'-(4"-dimethylamino)-                                                                           1.8 g           dimethylamino-2'-(4"-dimethylamino)-                                           O                                            benzylbenzoyl}-pyridine-          benzylphenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyr                                           idine-                                       carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone          3.0 g                                                                                                            3.7             pale blue                No.41                                                                              3-(and 2-){4'-Diethylamino-                                                                      1-Methyl-2,3,4-trihydro-                                                                       3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      2'-(4"-methyl)-benzylbenzoyl}-                                                                   quinoline       hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-d                                           iethyl-                                      pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)                                                                     1.6 g           amino-2'-(4"-methyl)-benzylphenyl}-          [and-(3)]                         α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxyl                                           ic acid-                                     3.0 g                             (2)[and-(3)]lactone                                                            3.2             pale yellow              No.42                                                                              3-(and 2-)(4'-Diethylamino-                                                                      9-Ethylcarbazole                                                                               3-(and 2-)[α-{9'-Ethylcarbazol                                           -(3')-yl}-                                   2'-methoxymethylbenzoyl)-         α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-methoxym                                           ethyl-                                       pyridine-carboxylic acid-                                                                        1.9 g           phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-                                           carboxylic                                   (2)[and-(3)]                      acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone                     2.5 g                                                                                                            2.1             pale yellow              No.43                                                                              3-(and 2-){4'-(N-Dimethyl-                                                                        Julolidine    3-(and 2-)[α-{Julolidin-(6')-yl                                          }-α-{4'-                                amonophenyl-N-methyl)-                                                                           1.9            (N-4"-dimethylaminophenyl-N-methyl)-                                           T                                             benzoyl}-pyridine-carboxylic     amonophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyrid                                          ine-                                          acid-(2)[and-(3)]                carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone           3.0 g                                                                                                            3.5             pale green               No.44                                                                              3-(and-2){4'-(N-4"-Dimethyl-                                                                     1-Methyl-2,3,4-trihydro-                                                                       3-(and 2-)[α-{1'-Methyl-2',3',                                           4'-tri-                                      aminobenzyl-N-methyl)-                                                                           quinoline       hydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(                                           N-4"-                                        aminobenzoyl}-pyridine-                                                                          1.4 g           dimethylaminobenzyl-N-methyl)-amino-         carboxylic acid-(2)[and-(3)]      phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-                                           carboxylic                                   3.0 g                             acid-(2)[and-(3)]lactone                                                       3.1             pale yellow              No.45                                                                              3-(and 2-)(4'-Morpholino-                                                                        N-Phenylmorpholine                                                                             3-(and 2-)[α,α-bis(4'-Mo                                           rpholinophenyl)-                             benzoyl)-pyridine-carboxylic                                               oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-                                               acid-(2)[and-(3)] 2.5 g                                                                          1.5 g           (2)[and-(3)]lactone                                                            3.1             pale                     __________________________________________________________________________                                                           yellow              

The processes for producing pressure-sensitive copying papers using pyridine-carboxylic acid lactones represented by the formula (I) as a color former are well known in the art and include the method in which phenomenon of complex coascervation is utilized to produce microcapsules as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,800,457 and 2,800,458. The color former is generally used in an amount of from about 0.5 to 5% by weight based on the previously described organic solvent such as ethylene glycol, chlorobenzenes, diphenyl chloride, dibenzylbenzene, dibenzyltoluene, diethylphthalate, trioctyl phosphate, an alkylnaphthalene and naphthylalkyl alcohols, etc.

The pressure-sensitive copying paper using pyridine-carboxylic acid lactones represented by the formula (I) will now be illustrated in greater detail by the following Example, but they are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. In these examples, all percentages, parts and the like are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 1

2.0 g of Color Former Nos. 1 to 3 were taken up and treated as follows. Each color former was dissolved in 100 g of dibenzyl toluene, and 20 g of gum arabic and 160 g of water were added thereto at a temperature of 50°C to emulsify. To the resulting emulsion were added 20 g of acid-treated gelatin and 160 g of water and, under stirring, acetic acid was added thereto to adjust the pH to 5. 500 g of water was then added thereto to allow coacervation to proceed thereby forming thick, liquid film of gelatin-gum arabic around oil droplets of dibenzyl toluene having the color former dissolved therein. After adjusting the pH to 4.4, 4 g of a 37% formalin aqueous solution was added thereto to harden the above-described liquid film. Then, the system was cooled to 10°C and, after adjusting the pH to 9 with dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide, allowed to stand for 5 to 6 hours to complete encapsulation.

The resulting microcapsule-containing liquid was applied to paper by a coating method such as roll-coating and air knife-coating, etc., and dried to obtain a colorless coated paper (upper sheet paper). When this upper sheet paper was intimately superposed on a lower sheet paper having coated thereon an active clay substance as a color developer and a localized pressure was applied to the assembly by handwriting, a greenish blue color was immediately formed on the lower sheet paper at the pressed area. There was observed almost no discoloration nor fading of the thus developed greenish blue color even when it was exposed directly to sunlight for a long period of time.

Alternatively, when the upper sheet paper was intimately superposed on a lower sheet paper having coated thereon an acidic organic polymer and a localized pressure was applied thereto by handwriting, a greenish blue color was immediately formed on the lower sheet paper at the pressure-applied area.

EXAMPLE 2

2.0 g of Color Former No. 4 was taken up and treated in the same manner as described in Example 1. After coating and drying, there was obtained a colorless upper sheet paper. When this upper sheet paper was intimately superposed on a lower sheet paper having coated thereon an active clay substance as a color developer and a localized pressure was applied thereto by handwriting, there was immediately developed a blue color on the lower sheet paper at the pressed area. There was observed almost no discoloration nor fading of the thus developed blue color even when it was directly exposed to sunlight for a long period of time. Alternatively, when the upper sheet paper was intimately superposed on a lower sheet paper having coated thereto an acidic organic polymer as the color developer and a localized pressure was applied to the assembly by handwriting, a blue color was immediately developed on the lower sheet paper at the pressed area.

EXAMPLE 3

2.0 g of each of Color Former Nos. 5 to 8 was taken up and treated in the same manner as described in Example 1. After coating and drying, there was obtained a colorless upper sheet paper. The resulting paper was intimately superposed on a lower sheet paper having coated thereon an acidic organic polymer, an acid clay substances or a combination thereof, as a color developer. When a localized pressure was applied to the assembly, a blue color was immediately formed on the lower sheet paper at the pressed area. The thus formed blue color exhibited a sufficient stability to the lapse of time for practical use.

EXAMPLE 4

2.0 g of each of Color Former Nos. 9 to 45 were taken up and each of them was treated in the same manner as described in Example 1. After coating and drying, there were obtained colorless upper sheet papers. When each of the resulting papers was intimately superposed on a lower sheet paper having coated thereon an acid clay substance as a color developer, and a localized pressure was applied to the assembly by handwriting, there was immediately developed a deep color image on the lower sheet paper at the pressed area. The thus developed color images showed sufficient stability to the lapse of time for practical use.

The hues developed on the lower sheets are shown in Table 2 below.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Color                Color                                                     Former   Hue         Former       Hue                                          ______________________________________                                         No. 9    bluish green                                                                               No. 28       blue                                         No. 10   purplish blue                                                                              No. 29       purple                                       No. 11   "           No. 30       blue                                         No. 12   "           No. 31       bluish green                                 No. 13   "           No. 32       purplish blue                                No. 14   purple      No. 33       green                                        No. 15   reddish purple                                                                             No. 34       "                                            No. 16   blue        No. 35       purple                                       No. 17   reddish purple                                                                             No. 36       bluish purple                                No. 18   red         No. 37       blue                                         No. 19   "           No. 38       greenish blue                                No. 20   blue        No. 39       blue                                         No. 21   "           No. 40       "                                            No. 22   greenish blue                                                                              No. 41       "                                            No. 23   blue        No. 42       "                                            No. 24   bluish green                                                                               No. 43       green                                        No. 25   purple      No. 44       greenish blue                                No. 26   blue        No. 45       blue                                         No. 27   bluish green                                                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

2.1 g of Color Former No. 3, 2.4 of Color Former No. 21, 0.3 g of o-hydroxybenzalacetophenone, 0.1 g of Rhodamine B-anilinolactam, and 0.3 g of benzoyl leucomethylene blue were treated and coated in the same manner as described in Example 1 to prepare an upper sheet paper. When this upper sheet paper was superposed on a lower sheet having coated thereon an active clay substance as a color developer and a localized pressure was applied to the assembly by handwriting, a black color was immediately developed on the lower sheet paper. The thus developed black color scarcely underwent change in hue and fading.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pressure-sensitive copying paper coated with a microencapsulated using as a color former a lactone compound of a pyridine-carboxylic acid represented by the formula ##SPC7##or a mixture thereof, wherein R₁ and R₂ each represents a hydrogen atom, an acyl group, a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom, a cyano, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylamino, acetyl or phenoxy group, or a benzyl or phenyl group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, a lower alkoxy, nitro, amino or lower alkylamino group, or R₁ and R₂ may, when taken together with a nitrogen atom to which R₁ and R₂ are attached, form a part of a saturated hydrocarbon chain of a heterocyclic ring; R₃ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, a nitro, amino, lower alkylamino group or a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkoxy group which may be substituted with a halogen atom, or a benzyl, benzyloxy or phenoxy group which may be substituted with a halogen atom, a lower alkyl, alkoxy or lower alkylamino group; R₄ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a phenyl group; and A represents a carbazolyl, acridinyl, phenothiazinyl, thienyl, thianaphthenyl, morpholinophenyl, julolidinyl or tetrahydroquinolyl group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl, lower alkylamino, acyl or nitro group; the alkyl moiety in said lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or lower alkylamino group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms.
 2. The pressure-sensitive copying paper as claimed in claim 1, wherein said color former is a compound selected from the group consisting ofa. 3-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxyphenyl}-.alpha.-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2)lactone, b. 2-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-ethoxyphenyl}-.alpha.-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, c. an isomer mixture of (a) and (b) above, d. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{julolidin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-dimethylaminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methypyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{julolidin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-dimethylaminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methypyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, e. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(N-β-chloroethyl-N-ethyl)-amino-phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-(N-β-chloroethyl-N-ethyl)-aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methyl-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, f. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-dibenzylaminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{1'-methyl2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-dibenzylaminophenyl}α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, g. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{4-morpholinophenyl}-α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{4'-morpholinophenyl}-α1{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-oxy]-methypyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, h. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-}9'-ethylcarbazol-(3')-yl}-α-{4'-dimethylaminophenyl}-.alpha.-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{9'-ethylcarbazol-(3')-yl}-α-{4'-dimethylaminophenyl}-.alpha.-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, i. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{acridin-(2')-yl}-α-{4'-(N-benzyl-N-methyl)-aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{acridin-(2')-yl} -α-{4'-(N-benzyl-N-methyl)-aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methypyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, j. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{phenothiazin-(3')-yl}-α-{4'-(N-methyl-N-phenyl)-aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{phenothiazin-(3')-yl}-α-{4'-(N-methyl-N-phenyl)-aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, k. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{thiophen-(2')-yl}-α-{4'-(N-methyl-N-4"-ethoxyphenyl)-aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{thiophen-(2')-yl}-α-{4'-(N-methyl-N-4"-ethoxyphenyl)-aminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, l. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{thianaphthen-(2')-yl}-α-{4'-acetonylaminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{thianaphthen-(2')-yl}-α-{4'-acetonylaminophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, m. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{4'-methylaminophenyl}-α-{6'-nitro-9'-ethylcarbazol-(3')-yl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{4'-methyl-aminophenyl}-α-{6'-nitro-9'-ethylcarbazol-(3')-yl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, n. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-}4'-diethylamino-2'-nitrophenyl}-.alpha.-oxy]-methyl-4-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-nitrophenyl}-.alpha.-oxy]-methyl-4-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, o. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-benzamidophenyl}-α-oxy]-methyl-pyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-benzamiodphenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, p. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{julolidin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-piperidinophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{julolidin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-piperidinophenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, q. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-(4"-methyl)-benzyl-phenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{1'-methyl-2', 3', 4'-trihydroquinolin-(6')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-(4"-methyl)-benzylphenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, r. an isomer mixture of 3-[α-{9'-ethylcarbazol-(3')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-methoxymethylphenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α-{9'-ethylcarbazol-(3')-yl}-α-{4'-diethylamino-2'-methoxymethylphenyl}-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone, and s. an isomer mixture of 3-[α, α-bis (4'-morpholinophenyl)-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(2) lactone and 2-[α, α-bis(4'-morpholinophenyl)-α-oxy]-methylpyridine-carboxylic acid-(3) lactone. 